Customer helps stop fleeing robber

Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2002

Linda KaneMorris News Service

LITTLEFIELD - Jimmy Joe Urioste might have slipped away after holding up a bank Monday had it not been for a customer in the bank's drive-through who pursued the alleged robber, FBI Special Agent Steve Powell said Tuesday.

A male customer, whose name was not released, was in the drive-through of First United Bank when he became aware of Urioste robbing the bank, Powell said. He chased the suspect as he fled and called 911 from a cellular phone.

Littlefield police soon joined the chase and the customer returned to Littlefield, Powell said.

"Had he (the customer) not taken those actions, the chances of the bank robber getting away would have been vastly increased," Powell said.

Urioste, 44, of Clovis, N.M., led police on a chase through eastern Lamb County before he was shot to death in the back yard of a residence about two miles east of Spade.

A preliminary autopsy determined that Urioste died from a single gunshot wound to the head, Powell and Texas Ranger Dusty McCord said.

Three officers were involved in the initial chase, said Littlefield police Lt. Leo Ponce. Police Chief Gary Lightfoot and Lt. Bill McMinn followed the suspect as Sgt. Abel Cantu took an alternative route, Ponce said.

The suspect was forced to stop in a field along County Road 272 after two tires on his pickup blew out. He fled on foot while firing at police with a .22-caliber revolver, Lamb County Sheriff Gary Maddox said Monday.

The suspect ran through a field toward a residence before being shot. The homeowners were not home at the time, McCord said.

Lightfoot and McMinn were involved in the exchange of gunfire, Ponce said.

Officials with the FBI, the Texas Rangers and the Lamb County Sheriff's Office said they didn't know who fired the fatal shot, Lightfoot or McMinn.

An investigation continues and the case may be taken to a grand jury, which will hear evidence regarding the shooting.

It's not likely the officer will face charges, though, Powell said.

"This thing was as righteous as can be," he said. "Anytime a bandit shoots at police officers, of course they have the right to return fire."

Lightfoot suffered chest pains after the shooting and was taken to Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. He was in stable condition Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Ponce said it's likely the police chief will remain in the hospital to receive treatment for injuries unrelated to Monday's incident.

Lamb County sheriff's deputy Dewayne Haney rolled his car while en route to assist the other officers. He was treated and released Monday from University Medical Center in Lubbock, the sheriff said.

The bank robbery occurred about 12:30 p.m. after the suspect entered the bank at 2003 South Hall St. He drew a gun and demanded money from a clerk.